Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3377, William French, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
French, William
S 3377
CONTENTS
boarded

Ohio 19.858
Pittsburg
William French
Trumbull Co in the State of Ohio who was a Priv. in the Co. commanded by Captain Henry of the Mass. Co for 10 months
scribed on the Roll of Ohio - Pittsburg the rate of 48. Dollars 33. - Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
certificate of Pension issued the 21. day of Sep 1833 and sent to Alexander McCouche Warren O
hears to the 4th of Sept 1833. - $ 120. 80 semi-ant. allowance ending 4 March 1834 24. 16
$144.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
recorded by Wm R. Palmer Clerk. book E. Vol. 8. Page 111.
Date of death not as yet

7695 William French Ohio
from 1775 Sargeant & Private 10 months.
Return 14.
Sgt 9 mo. $45. Pr. 1 " 3.33 48.33 100
7695
Alex d McConnell
Warren George Garrison
Clerk
Warren
Trumbull Co
Ohio

BRIEF in the case of  William French  Co of Grumbler  in the State of Ohio  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 88  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years. Months. Days.     In 1775 joined 1776-1778 Voluntary 9 As a Surgeon Gen. Henry. John Gray Lieut.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? County of Hampshire Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional one living witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? none of the witnesses are certified as credible 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

George Warren Clerk
Application of William French for a Pension - 7095
Filed August 24/82
1552

State of Ohio County of Trumbull ss
On this 21- day of August - personally appeared in open court before the Supreme Court of said State for the County of Trumbull now sitting William French - a resident of Farmington in the County of Trumbull and State of Ohio, aged 88 - years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated - In the Spring of the year of 1775 at Norwich in the County of Hampshire, State of Massachusetts I volunteered in the Continental Army under command of Capt. Michael Henry. John Gray was my first Lieutenant and David Sackett my second, was ordered to march to Roxbury, a part of the Army was stationed there and a part at Cambridge, I was in sight of the Battle of Bunkerhill, but was not in it, could not cross the River. I served at this time nine months. I was encamped at Roxbury I was in no Battle; I was sent in company with about one hundred men, under the command of Major Luffler, to burn the enemy's guard-house - we lost one man, but succeeded in burning the guard-house. Peter Dewey was the name of the soldier who was killed.

He was cut to pieces with a cannon ball -
In 1777 or 1778 I volunteered again and was out about one month, under command of Capt. John Garland. David Scott was my first Lieutenant. we marched to Bennington, got there the day after Battle. I never was in a Battle - I served all the time as a serjeant -
Interrogatories put by order of Court 1st When and in what year was you born?
Ans - I was born in the year A.D. 1744 on the 25th day of January in the Town of Westerly in in the State of Rhode Island in sight of Block Island
2nd Have you got a record of your ages and if so who is it. Ans - I have at home in my Bible.
3rd Where were you living when called into the service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war & where do you now live?
Ans - I was living in the Town of Choswick in the County of Hampshire State of Mass. I lived in the County of Oswego, County State of New York about twenty-five years since the war, and have lived in Geauga County in the Township of Parkman, State of Ohio about twelve or thirteen years, and have lived in Farmington Franklin County where I now live about two years.
4th When were you called into the service
Ans - I volunteered -
5th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with you
Ans - Colonel Rufus Putnam, Major Nathaniel Doolittle Adjutant Starks etc

Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so what has become of it?
Ans. I had a discharge written & signed by Col. Stearns Brown, on the bottom of my Serjeants warrant gave it to Major Clark and never saw it since. The holder as proof of his actual service refers to the affidavit of David Sackett who was my second Lieutenant, in with the reded up - The holder notes makes every claim whatever to a pension or any other benefit at the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
George Parsons Clk S.C.
William Green
We Moses Brandy and Lewis Walcott residing in the Township of Farmington in said County of Franklin, State of Ohio hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William French who has subscribed and sworn to the above & foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be eighty eight years of age or thereabouts; that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
George Parsons Clerk S.C.
Moses Brandy Lewis Walcott
I Lewis Walcott hereby certify that I am well acquainted with William French who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration and that I believe him to be a man of veracity. Sworn to & subscribed this 24 day of August 1832. George Parsons Clerk S.C. Lewis Walcott

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the said applicant was a revolutionary soldier and deserves as he states
George Parsons Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio within and for the County of Trumbull do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of the Mrs. French for a pension In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 29 th day of August 1832. George Parsons Clerk
Applicant of William French for a Pension - 1093
Ms. A. 9. 2. 28. 1832

December 4, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mabel S. Asken R.F.D.#4 Youngstown, Ohio
BAJ/TEL William French-S.3377
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the pension records of William French and John Harroff, both of Trumbull County, Ohio.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of a John Harroff, under any spelling of the surname. It may be that you have misquoted the list upon which you found his name as a pensioner. The record of William French has been found and his history is furnished herein, the data for which were obtained from pension claim, S.3377, based upon the military service of that soldier in the Revolutionary War.
I found Jacob Harroff as a pensioner of Trumbull Co Ohio which is probably the one she wants
William French was born January 25, 1744, in Westerly, Rhode Island. The names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Norwich, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, William French volunteered in the spring of 1775, served as sergeant in Captain Henry's Company of Massachusetts Troops; was in a party which went under Major Tappan and burned a guard house belonging to the enemy; he was discharged after serving nine months by Colonel Brewer; he again volunteered in 1777, and served about one month as sergeant in Captain John Cortland's Massachusetts Company.
This is probably Kirkland or Kirkland
After the Revolution, he resided for about twenty-five years in Ithaca County, New York, and about twelve or thirteen years in Parkman Township, Geauga County, Ohio.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 21, 1832, while residing in Farmington, Trumbull County, Ohio, where he had resided for about two years. There are no data as to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Date of death not an AB
He said Mitchell's diary but I don't know him in Mass 1785 VOL-6 page 96 as under maleolus diary Heitman also gives Maleolus as capt in Col Brewer's Regt. so I left out christian name

State of Ohio Ashtabula County SS Personally came David Sackett and testified that he was acquainted with William French in the the United States Service in 1775 and was as knowing to his serving as a Sergeant in the above Service for nine months in succession and I the do further state that I was acting as Lieutenant of the same Company and Michael Henry was Capt. David Sackett
his mark
Taken, signed and acknowledged before me this 28 th day of July A D 1832 at Painesville Elisha Knapp Justice of the Peace New. Do further certify that the above deponent D. Sackett is well known to me and that I believe a good man for truth and veracity & that his statement

The State of Ohio Ashtabula County ss
I Sam. Hendry Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County do hereby certify that Elisha Knapp Esquire whose name appears subscribed within in his own proper hand writing was at the time of his subscribing the same
to wit on the 28th day of July A.D. 1832 a true copy of the Peace of said County of Ashtabula duly Commissioned and sworn agreeably to the Laws of the State of Ohio.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Jefferson the sixteenth day of August A.D. 1832 - Fees 50 cents paid by J. Crowell
Sam. Hendry Clerk

State of Ohio } Ashtabula County ss }
Personally appeared David Sacket and testified that he was acquainted with William French in the United States Service in 1775 and was knowing to his services as a Sergeant in the above Service for nine months in succession: and I do further state that I was acting lieutenant of the same company and Michael Neely was Captain.
his David Sacket mark
Taken signed and acknowledged before me this 28th day of June in the Year of the Lord One Thousand Eight hundred & thirtythree. Ebenezer Williams Justice of the Peace
I do further certify that the said Colonel David Sacket is well known to me and that he sustains a good name for truth and veracity, and that his statement is entitled to credence. — Ebenezer Williams Justice of the Peace
The State of Ohio } Ashtabula County ss }
I Sam Hendy, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County do hereby certify that Ebenezer Williams Esquire whose name appears subscribed above in his own proper hand writing was at the time of subscribing the same to wit on the 28th day of June A.D. 1833 a Justice of the Peace of said County of Ashtabula duly commissioned and sworn agreeably to the laws of the State of Ohio.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Jefferson the Twenty ninth day of June A.D. 1833.
Sam Hendy. Clerk of Court.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Smith which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? /// II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? /// III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? /// V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? /// VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? /// VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? /// VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? /// IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? /// X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? ///

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? both in by the Coligons XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yy If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yy Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yy XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yy XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yy XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yy
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Aug 10 Ohio Revolutionary Pension Documents WARREN O AUG 8
[Handwritten signature: J. L. Edwards]
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City. D. C.

August 5 th 1833-
J. L. Edwards Esq r
Sir I herewith transmit for your examination the amended application of Mrs French
Warren Gumbrell Co. Ohio
Very Respectfully your obed Servt. Alex. McConnel

4 Youngstown, O. 5/12/1934
Commission of Pensions:
Dear Sir: Will you kindly send the pension record of William French a pensioner of Trumbull Co. Ohio - and of John Harvold pensioner of Trumbull Co - Ohio - and thank you.
Walter S. Asken-
Youngstown, R.D. # 4 - Terre Haute -
D.A.R. # 115-750-
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

1934 - Dec 4 - Hist To Mabel S. Asken - Glk
Penway
3377 INVALID.
File No. 3377
William French
Sergt P.W. War
Act: June 7 1832
Index: — Vol. 4 , Page 131
[Arrangement of 1870.]